April 22, 2025 Board Meeting Summary

Celebrating South Hills Middle School
Miki Wakamatsu, a student body officer, said South Hills is a school where leadership is a role shared among the administration and teachers. She said teachers are a unified team always there to support students. Miki said the school is very proud of its service activities like raising $7,800 for the Millie’s Princess Foundation charity. The school helps to create a caring community and there is always strong support for South Hills from the community. Miki said students are just as impressive as teachers at South Hills and there is a strong peer tutor program involving special education students and strong participation in after school programs which enrich the school experience. Miki concluded by saying she is proud to be a student at South Hills Middle School, being part of a caring community, where it is a great place to be every day.

Superintendent’s Report
Dr. Anthony Godfrey, Superintendent of Schools, attended the South Valley Chamber ‘Women in Business’ luncheon where they celebrated young women in Jordan School District and presented them with scholarships. He said it was exciting to see the connections and mentorships giving students opportunities to find success in business.

Recognitions
Region 6 PTA leaders presented the Region 6 PTA Awards and Reflections Awards.

The theme for Reflections this year was “Accepting Imperfections.” Congratulations to all of the 27 Reflections Award winners, who are admired for the hard work and dedication that goes into being the very best.

Region 6 PTA awards were also given to individuals impacting and enhancing the learning environment in Jordan School District schools. Individuals were recognized for going above and beyond for students and schools every day with spirit, innovation, and passion.

Special Business Items
The Board approved the amended budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the calendar for the 2026-27 school year, and the 2025-26 student fee schedule.

  • Patron Comments
  • Todd Quarnberg, principal, expressed concern over the growing enrollment in online PE classes at Herriman High School. He said it is due to the lack of functional gym space at the school and believes a field house would solve the problem.
  • Mahdis Adams, an employee, thanked Board members for their service. She asked the Board to consider pay increases for speech language pathologists in the District who she says are asked to carry larger loads each year.
  • Wendy Berrett, an employee, advocated for better pay for speech language pathologists in the District.
  • Lily Praag, a student, said she has been involved in Unified Sports for several years and it has changed her life for the better in so many ways. She said the greatest friends in her life were made through participation in Unified Sports.
  • Addison Barker, a student, said she is a peer tutor in Unified Sports at South Jordan Middle School and it has changed her life. She said it has inspired her to be a Special Education teacher. She encouraged the Board to continue their support of Unified Sports which is giving students with disabilities so many opportunities.
  • Josh Holt, a head coach at Riverton High School, expressed concern that Jordan School District is lagging behind in facilities for student athletes. He says the number of sports continues to increase, but facilities have not expanded to accommodate them.
  • Exodus Afatasi, a student, thanked coaches for all they have done for him on his high school journey. He said involvement in sports has made him a better person, but he expressed concern over a lack of athletic facilities.
  • James Freeland, a coach, expressed concern over facilities equity in the District. He said he feels blessed with what Jordan School District has, but said there is simply not enough space for student athletes to train and grow.
  • Morgan Bangerter, a parent and Midas Creek Elementary School Community Council and PTA member, requested the Board consider realignment of boundaries so that all Midas Creek Elementary School students can attend the same secondary schools and not be split among three different middle and high schools. She said parents would like one feeder system
  • Devioanne Howland, kindergarten teacher, expressed support for the new social studies curriculum which she said will be an amazing resource for teachers. She urged the Board to support the new curriculum.
  • Janet Sanders, JEA President, talked about what she considers a legislative win for unions throughout the state. She said 320,000 signatures were gathered for a referendum against HB 267 and the voters will get to decide the issue as it now qualifies for the November 2026 ballot. She encouraged the Board to negotiate a new contract with JEA prior to the referendum vote. She thanked the Board for their support of educators.
  • Board Comments
  • Niki George said the Jordan Youth Symphony concert was delightful. Ms. George also attended the Joel P. Jensen Middle School production of “Matilda Jr.,” “The Lion King” at Oakcrest Elementary School, and the Unified Sports Bocci Ball tournament, which she said was such fun. She asked the Board to explore the possibility of having a Youth Justice Court in Jordan School District and asked the Finance Committee to look into some issues raised by a few parents regarding bussing.
  • Bryce Dunford reported on the Finance Committee meeting where they discussed the District’s reserve fund accounts and the possibility of moving some funds from an unassigned to an assigned category.
  • Lisa Dean recognized Chelsea Lopez for receiving the 2025 Utah Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Outstanding Paraeducator award. Ms. Dean commended Chelsea for the supportive community she fosters and the inclusive cheer program she leads. Ms. Dean attended “Matilda Jr.” at Joel P. Jensen Middle School which she said gave students a chance to shine in every aspect of the production. She thanked everyone who made the musical possible. Ms. Dean encouraged everyone to sign up for the Jordan Education Foundation’s upcoming “Challenge Run,” saying it is a fun family event.
  • Suzanne Wood said she is very proud of the West Jordan High School Unified Sports “Blue Team,” which was recently crowned Utah State Unified Basketball Champions. Ms. Wood said more than 200 students participate in Unified Sports in the District and she is grateful to everyone who is supportive and committed to the Unified Sports program.
  • Erin Barrow reminded everyone that Jordan School District high school student artwork is now on display at the Old Dome Meeting Hall in Riverton and encouraged everyone to visit the display. She reported on the JPAC meeting where they discussed legislation passed this year and the received positive feedback on the District’s cellphone policy.

Closed, Study Session
In closed session, Board members discussed personnel, property, potential litigation, and negotiations. In open session, the Board reviewed the open house held to collect feedback on UFLI and social studies curriculum, 2026-27 calendar survey results, and the 2025-26 fee schedule. The Board considered proposed changes to Board Administrative Polices AS67 Discipline of Students, AA418 Discipline of Students – Staff Responsibilities, and DP378 Employee Code of Conduct. They also reviewed potential revisions to Board Policy GP104 Board Officers and Appendix Procedures for the Election of Board Officers, and GP111 Types of Meetings. They also were debriefed on the 2025 National School Boards Association (NSBA) conference.

– Sandy Riesgraf, Director of Communications

  1. Study Session – 4:16
    1. Review of Open House for UFLI and Social Studies Curriculum Approval – 4:47
    2. Review of Calendar Survey Results for 2026-27 – 10:17
    3. Review of Fee Schedule for 2025-26 – 23:05
    4. Consideration of Proposed Changes to Administrative Policies: 1) AS67 Discipline of Students; 2) AA418 Discipline of Students – Staff Responsibilities; and 3) DP378 Employee Code of Conduct – 1:18:34
    5. Review of Potential Revisions to Board Policy GP104 Board Officers and Appendix Procedures for the Election of Board Officers – 1:34:01
    6. Review of Board Policy GP111 Types of Meetings – 1:44:15
    7. Review of 2025 National School Boards Association (NSBA) Conference – 5:41:08
  2. Jordan Youth Symphony
    1. Jordan Youth Symphony Performance
  3. General Session – 2:36:29
    1. Pledge of Allegiance – 2:37:38
    2. Reverence – 2:38:26
    3. Presentation – Celebrating South Hills Middle School – 2:38:41
    4. Resolutions of Appreciation – 2:43:58
    5. Recognitions – Region 6 PTA Awards & Reflections Awards – 2:45:03
    6. Board Member Recognitions – 3:10:17 
    7. Superintendent’s Recognitions – 3:27:44
  4. Public Comments – 3:29:48
    1. Guidelines for Public Comments
  5. General Business – Approve Consent Agenda – 4:10:14
    1. Board Minutes
    2. School LAND Trust Plans for 2025-26
    3. Teacher and Student Success Act (TSSA) Plans for 2025-26
    4. LAND Trust Plan Amendment 2024-25 for Elk Ridge Middle School
    5. Evaluation of Superintendent of Schools
    6. Evaluation of Business Administrator
    7. Adoption of UFLI and Social Studies Curriculum
  6. General Business – Accept Consent Agenda – 4:15:52
    1. Expenditures
    2. Financial Statements
    3. Personnel – Licensed and Education Support Professionals
    4. Certificates for Home Instruction
    5. Non-compliance Report
  7. Bids – 4:16:35
    1. Herriman High School – Chromebooks & Licenses
    2. Mountain Ridge High School – Chromebooks & Licenses
    3. Teaching & Learning – Instructure Mastery Connect
    4. Facility Services – Parking Lot Addition at West Jordan High School (rebid)
    5. Transportation – School Bus Routing/Planning Software, Field Trip/Activity Trip Planning Software, and Tablet Technology
  8. Special Business Items – 4:38:03
    1. BUDGET HEARING: Recommendation to Approve Amended Budget for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year
    2. Recommendation to Approve Calendar for 2026-27 School Year
    3. Recommendation to Approve Student Fee Schedule for 2025-26 School Year
    4. Recommendation to Approve Potential Revisions to Board Policy GP104 Board Officers and Appendix Procedures for the Election of Board Officers
  9. Information Items – 5:07:49
    1. Superintendent’s Report
  10. Discussion Items – 5:07:58
    1. Committee Reports and Comments by Board Members
  11. Adjourn – 6:23:16
    1. Motion to Adjourn to Closed Session
  12. Closed Session
    1. Character and Competence of Individuals (Personnel)
    2. Property
    3. Potential Litigation
    4. Negotiations
    5. Security
Board of Education
Niki George, President – Voting District 6
Bryce Dunford, First Vice President – Voting District 5
Brian W. Barnett, Second Vice President – Voting District 2
Erin Barrow, Member – Voting District 4
Lisa Dean, Member – Voting District 7
Darrell Robinson, Member – Voting District 1
Suzanne Wood, Member – Voting District 3